Jury convicts white supremacist of gun charges

A federal jury convicted an Aryan Brotherhood member of felony gun possession in a Tampa federal court, the Justice Department announced last week.

Michael “Moon Lake Mike” Wilson, 43, of New Port Richey, Florida, was found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

At trial, prosecutors said Wilson had barricaded himself in a bedroom with drugs, cash, white supremacist-related items, and a loaded .45-caliber pistol when SWAT officers executed a search warrant at home in Hudson, Florida on Dec. 11, 2015.

According to court documents, Wilson had a “White Pride” shirt and various items with swastika emblems in the room along with the guns and the drugs. Prosecutors argued the items along with Wilson’s white supremacist tattoos and interests confirm the room was his bedroom — a detail Wilson denied.

Witnesses at the trial testified that the handgun belonged to Wilson and that he carried it with him as he sold methamphetamine to others in the area.

The Justice Department said Wilson is an admitted member of the Aryan Brotherhood and has been previously convicted of felony charges.

His priors include two convictions for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, four convictions for grand theft, as well as convictions for armed burglary, sale and possession of cocaine, felonious possession of a firearm, and fleeing and eluding.

Wilson was indicted on July 26 and has been scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 12. He faces a minimum of 15 years in prison or life.